Below, listen to Fr Paul Lehman's last homily, 18 days before he died.
FR. PAUL J . LEHMAN
July 5, 1928 - June 20, 2019
Rest in the Lord's Peace
July 5, 1928 - June 20, 2019
Rest in the Lord's Peace
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One year ago....
DEATH NOTICE June 20, 2019 Fr. Paul J. Lehman, beloved Pastor Emeritus of St. Antoninus, began his final journey home at 2 am today, June 20, 2019. He would have been 91 years old on July 5. |
Fr Paul was a most beloved pastor of St Antoninus from 1989 to 1999, and he continued serving the parish while in residence until 2 years ago.
Eternal rest grant unto your servant, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him! May his soul and all of the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Eternal rest grant unto your servant, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him! May his soul and all of the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
OBITUARY
By Fr. Joseph A. Meagher, Pastor of St. Antoninus Church
June 20, 2019
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This morning at 2 AM, our dear Father Paul Lehman, Pastor Emeritus of St Antoninus Church, began his final journey home to the Lord. Fr Paul lived a very full 91 years (almost), and faithfully and generously served the Lord and his people as a priest of Jesus Christ for just over 65 years.
Fr Paul was pastor of St Antoninus from 1989 to 1999, and he continued serving the parish while in residence until 2 years ago.
For many remarkable years, from 1996 to 2016, Fr Paul served as spiritual director of BLD Newark and Couples for Christ, New Jersey/New York. He worked well into his late 80”s ministering to young and old at retreats run by BLD.
Fr Paul lived a holy, loving and fruitful life. We who had the privilege of knowing him and receiving the blessing of his ministry are eternally grateful for his selfless YES to the Lord and to God's people in faithful service. To know Fr Paul was to love him.
Today, on the final day of the Convocation of the Priests of the Archdiocese of Newark, Cardinal Tobin and some 400 priests offered the closing Mass for Fr Paul. How fitting that on the very day of his death, this humble and holy priest of God was prayed for at Mass by virtually all of the priests of the Archdiocese, including all four bishops.
Fr Paul was a gifted teacher and a wise spiritual director. He had been spiritual director for many priests, seminarians and lay people, including myself.
He was personally chosen by Fr Jim Ferry to be the pastor of St Antoninus to replace Fr Jim when he died. He was my pastor here when I said my first Mass at St A’s 27 years ago.
His sharp mind, his dry humor, his gentle loving presence, will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of spending time in his company. We are sad for ourselves, but very happy for him, even as we promise to lift him up in our prayers.
Fr Paul, may you hear the words of Our Lord:
“Well done good and faithful servant, enter into your Heavenly Father’s joy.”
In Jesus thru Mary,
Fr Joseph
Eternal rest grant unto your servant, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him! May his soul and all of the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen!
By Fr. Joseph A. Meagher, Pastor of St. Antoninus Church
June 20, 2019
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This morning at 2 AM, our dear Father Paul Lehman, Pastor Emeritus of St Antoninus Church, began his final journey home to the Lord. Fr Paul lived a very full 91 years (almost), and faithfully and generously served the Lord and his people as a priest of Jesus Christ for just over 65 years.
Fr Paul was pastor of St Antoninus from 1989 to 1999, and he continued serving the parish while in residence until 2 years ago.
For many remarkable years, from 1996 to 2016, Fr Paul served as spiritual director of BLD Newark and Couples for Christ, New Jersey/New York. He worked well into his late 80”s ministering to young and old at retreats run by BLD.
Fr Paul lived a holy, loving and fruitful life. We who had the privilege of knowing him and receiving the blessing of his ministry are eternally grateful for his selfless YES to the Lord and to God's people in faithful service. To know Fr Paul was to love him.
Today, on the final day of the Convocation of the Priests of the Archdiocese of Newark, Cardinal Tobin and some 400 priests offered the closing Mass for Fr Paul. How fitting that on the very day of his death, this humble and holy priest of God was prayed for at Mass by virtually all of the priests of the Archdiocese, including all four bishops.
Fr Paul was a gifted teacher and a wise spiritual director. He had been spiritual director for many priests, seminarians and lay people, including myself.
He was personally chosen by Fr Jim Ferry to be the pastor of St Antoninus to replace Fr Jim when he died. He was my pastor here when I said my first Mass at St A’s 27 years ago.
His sharp mind, his dry humor, his gentle loving presence, will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of spending time in his company. We are sad for ourselves, but very happy for him, even as we promise to lift him up in our prayers.
Fr Paul, may you hear the words of Our Lord:
“Well done good and faithful servant, enter into your Heavenly Father’s joy.”
In Jesus thru Mary,
Fr Joseph
Eternal rest grant unto your servant, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him! May his soul and all of the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen!
OBITUARY
from Star Ledger, Newark NJ
Reverend Paul J. Lehman
Catholic priest, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark; spiritual director, BLD Newark and Couples for Christ (NJ/NY)
Reverend Paul J. Lehman, 90, entered eternal life on Thursday, June 20, 2019.
Reception of the Body at St. Antoninus Catholic Church, 337 South Orange Avenue, Newark, N.J., is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, with viewing between 3 and 7 p.m. Vigil Mass will begin at 7 p.m. Viewing will resume Wednesday, June 26, from 9 to 10 a.m.at St. Antoninus.
A Mass of Christian Burial for the repose of the soul of Rev. Paul J. Lehman will begin at 10 a.m.; Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.S.s.R will preside. Secure parking is available on site. Interment will follow at Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah, N.J.
Paul J. Lehman was born July 5, 1928 in Elizabeth, N.J., to the late Anthony and Helen Lehman. He was the elder of two children. Paul was baptized and served as an altar boy at St. Michael's in Elizabeth. He attended Catholic schools, St. Michael's Grammar School in Elizabeth and Seton Hall Prep in South Orange, N.J.
In pursuit of his priestly calling, Paul attended Seton Hall College, graduating in 1950. In 1948 Paul went through his preparation for priesthood at the Darlington Seminary in Ramsey, N.J. On May 29, 1954 Paul was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest by Archbishop Thomas Boland at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Newark. (Read more)
from Star Ledger, Newark NJ
Reverend Paul J. Lehman
Catholic priest, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark; spiritual director, BLD Newark and Couples for Christ (NJ/NY)
Reverend Paul J. Lehman, 90, entered eternal life on Thursday, June 20, 2019.
Reception of the Body at St. Antoninus Catholic Church, 337 South Orange Avenue, Newark, N.J., is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, with viewing between 3 and 7 p.m. Vigil Mass will begin at 7 p.m. Viewing will resume Wednesday, June 26, from 9 to 10 a.m.at St. Antoninus.
A Mass of Christian Burial for the repose of the soul of Rev. Paul J. Lehman will begin at 10 a.m.; Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.S.s.R will preside. Secure parking is available on site. Interment will follow at Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah, N.J.
Paul J. Lehman was born July 5, 1928 in Elizabeth, N.J., to the late Anthony and Helen Lehman. He was the elder of two children. Paul was baptized and served as an altar boy at St. Michael's in Elizabeth. He attended Catholic schools, St. Michael's Grammar School in Elizabeth and Seton Hall Prep in South Orange, N.J.
In pursuit of his priestly calling, Paul attended Seton Hall College, graduating in 1950. In 1948 Paul went through his preparation for priesthood at the Darlington Seminary in Ramsey, N.J. On May 29, 1954 Paul was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest by Archbishop Thomas Boland at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Newark. (Read more)
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Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Many came for the Viewing & Funeral Masses for Fr Paul at St. Antoninus Church. |
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Tuesday, June 25, 2019
The family of Fr Paul, his brother priests, the parishioners of St Antoninus, the BLD Newark Community, the Couples for Christ community, and the many many friends of Fr Paul came to their respects to our beloved Fr Paul. Many came up to pray by his open casket.
After the 4 hour viewing, we celebrated the Funeral Vigil Mass at 7pm.
The main celebrant was Msgr. Thomas Nydegger, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Newark, and the concelebrants were Fr Paul's brother priests.
Fr Dave Sison, one of Fr Paul's spiritual sons, gave a heartfelt Eulogy.
The music ministry was beautifully led by BLD Newark, the group that Fr Paul had shepherded as spiritual director for many years.
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
After a viewing of one hour, the Funeral Mass for Fr Paul commenced at 10am, celebrated by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.S.s., the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Newark.
An inspiring homily was delivered by Fr Joseph Meagher. The Music ministry was wonderfully led by St Antoninus Music Ministry.
Following Mass, the congregation proceeded to the Church hall for a light repast, while the priests had their repast in the rectory dining room.
The Christian Burial was at Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah, New Jersey.
The family of Fr Paul, his brother priests, the parishioners of St Antoninus, the BLD Newark Community, the Couples for Christ community, and the many many friends of Fr Paul came to their respects to our beloved Fr Paul. Many came up to pray by his open casket.
After the 4 hour viewing, we celebrated the Funeral Vigil Mass at 7pm.
The main celebrant was Msgr. Thomas Nydegger, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Newark, and the concelebrants were Fr Paul's brother priests.
Fr Dave Sison, one of Fr Paul's spiritual sons, gave a heartfelt Eulogy.
The music ministry was beautifully led by BLD Newark, the group that Fr Paul had shepherded as spiritual director for many years.
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
After a viewing of one hour, the Funeral Mass for Fr Paul commenced at 10am, celebrated by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.S.s., the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Newark.
An inspiring homily was delivered by Fr Joseph Meagher. The Music ministry was wonderfully led by St Antoninus Music Ministry.
Following Mass, the congregation proceeded to the Church hall for a light repast, while the priests had their repast in the rectory dining room.
The Christian Burial was at Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah, New Jersey.
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EULOGY: Well done good and faithful servant, enter into your Father’s joy! by Fr. Joseph A. Meagher, Pastor of St. Antoninus Church June 28, 2019 Dear Brothers and Sisters, Well done good and faithful servant, enter into your Father’s joy! This week we mourn and rejoice at the passing of our dear Fr Paul Lehman, faithful friend of Jesus and shepherd of God’s people. There were well over 1000 people who came by to t pay their respects to this faithful priest, to intercede for him and to ask for his prayers. The outpouring of love and gratitude from both his brother Priests who came to celebrate Fr Paul’s vigil Mass or Funeral Mass, as well as the faithful from St. Antoninus, BLD and many of the other parishes and ministries where he served God’s people was very edifying. Fr Paul was a priest of Jesus Christ serving in the Archdiocese of Newark for 65 years! He was a man who never stopped learning and growing in his faith. He was clear and confident in that faith and yet, always open to a new light upon age-old issues. Read more: |
Fr Joseph & Fr. Paul, January 2017
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Fr Dave Sison: Eulogy during the Vigil Mass
(June 25) Click here (Sorry, unavailable. We will try to retrieve it ) |
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Listen to Fr Joseph Meagher's homily during the Funeral Mass
(June 26, 2019) . |
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Eulogy
Paul Anthony Joseph Lehman, 65 years a Priest of Jesus Christ. A life in the Lord and the Holy Spirit.
By Father Eugene Bettinger, O.Carm.
It is with sorrow and joy that I write these reflections on a brother priest who has served the Lord well over 65 years. My sorrow is not only on his passing weeks before his 91st birthday but that I have to personally forego being at his wake and funeral because I must be in Canada for Pre-Chapter Carmelite deliberations Monday thru Thursday. However, since Fr. Paul chose me to be the preacher at his funeral I owe it to him to at least put into print what I would have said in person. As may well be known Fr. Paul was my spiritual director for a large portion of my 43 years as a priest. Indeed, he as pastor, permitted me to be ordained in our home parish of St. Michael’s, Elizabeth, N.J. on 15 May 1976. Our association goes back to his own first Mass in that Church 30 May 1954 when my two sisters and I were in the Parish school and attended that Eucharist. Our common ethnicity of having German fathers and Irish mothers in that parish gave rise to us saying we were of German shepherds’ and Irish setters’ stock. Read more
Paul Anthony Joseph Lehman, 65 years a Priest of Jesus Christ. A life in the Lord and the Holy Spirit.
By Father Eugene Bettinger, O.Carm.
It is with sorrow and joy that I write these reflections on a brother priest who has served the Lord well over 65 years. My sorrow is not only on his passing weeks before his 91st birthday but that I have to personally forego being at his wake and funeral because I must be in Canada for Pre-Chapter Carmelite deliberations Monday thru Thursday. However, since Fr. Paul chose me to be the preacher at his funeral I owe it to him to at least put into print what I would have said in person. As may well be known Fr. Paul was my spiritual director for a large portion of my 43 years as a priest. Indeed, he as pastor, permitted me to be ordained in our home parish of St. Michael’s, Elizabeth, N.J. on 15 May 1976. Our association goes back to his own first Mass in that Church 30 May 1954 when my two sisters and I were in the Parish school and attended that Eucharist. Our common ethnicity of having German fathers and Irish mothers in that parish gave rise to us saying we were of German shepherds’ and Irish setters’ stock. Read more
Eulogy
SOMETHING GOOD…SOMETHING VERY GOOD CAME OUT OF…..…ELIZABETH
By Elieen O’Hara
It was 1928, the year before the great stock market crash, when a son was born to Helen (Kane) Lehman & her husband, Anthony. So for the first time in probably a long time, the ethnic lines were crossed & a German/Irish or Irish/German (depending on who was the lead person at the time) American household was born & into that household came Paul Anthony Joseph Lehman, born the day after the 4th of July. How “American” is that! He grew up in a Norman Rockwell America where the father was the traditional provider & the mother was the homemaker & later, a second wage earner. A sister joined the ranks & the family moved out to the ‘burbs in Roselle when Fr. Paul was in the 5th grade. He continued his primary school education in Elizabeth with the Sisters of Christian Charity, a German order, & was greatly influenced & mentored by his aunt, Sr. Cordelia & Fr. Frank Reinbold, who encouraged his altar server who was in 7th grade, that magic age of “12”, to consider the priesthood. Fr. Paul responded to the call & was admitted to Seton Hall Prep & from there to the seminary situated at the time in Darlington in Mahwah & the rest is history.
He received a very traditional seminary training away from the allures & distractions of the world for they were called to be set apart as God’s ambassadors. It was somewhat like a spiritual boot camp, with lots of survival training on many fronts. But it had a lasting impact & it stood him & many priests who went through there in good stead as it saw them through many of the difficult times they had to face as God’s servants. Through many challenges in many parishes, including having to close down his beloved St. Michael’s school in Elizabeth, the most difficult transition he had to make was from the wealthy village of Haworth to the inner city of Newark...in the middle of the riots that plagued Newark in the ‘60s. (Read more)
SOMETHING GOOD…SOMETHING VERY GOOD CAME OUT OF…..…ELIZABETH
By Elieen O’Hara
It was 1928, the year before the great stock market crash, when a son was born to Helen (Kane) Lehman & her husband, Anthony. So for the first time in probably a long time, the ethnic lines were crossed & a German/Irish or Irish/German (depending on who was the lead person at the time) American household was born & into that household came Paul Anthony Joseph Lehman, born the day after the 4th of July. How “American” is that! He grew up in a Norman Rockwell America where the father was the traditional provider & the mother was the homemaker & later, a second wage earner. A sister joined the ranks & the family moved out to the ‘burbs in Roselle when Fr. Paul was in the 5th grade. He continued his primary school education in Elizabeth with the Sisters of Christian Charity, a German order, & was greatly influenced & mentored by his aunt, Sr. Cordelia & Fr. Frank Reinbold, who encouraged his altar server who was in 7th grade, that magic age of “12”, to consider the priesthood. Fr. Paul responded to the call & was admitted to Seton Hall Prep & from there to the seminary situated at the time in Darlington in Mahwah & the rest is history.
He received a very traditional seminary training away from the allures & distractions of the world for they were called to be set apart as God’s ambassadors. It was somewhat like a spiritual boot camp, with lots of survival training on many fronts. But it had a lasting impact & it stood him & many priests who went through there in good stead as it saw them through many of the difficult times they had to face as God’s servants. Through many challenges in many parishes, including having to close down his beloved St. Michael’s school in Elizabeth, the most difficult transition he had to make was from the wealthy village of Haworth to the inner city of Newark...in the middle of the riots that plagued Newark in the ‘60s. (Read more)
More FUNERAL PHOTOS
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
VIEWING & VIGIL MASS
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
VIEWING & VIGIL MASS
VIEWING & FUNERAL MASS
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Below, watch the exultant entrance singing and procession of priests at our Funeral Mass :
Click here (Sorry, no longer available. We will try to retrieve it)
Click here (Sorry, no longer available. We will try to retrieve it)
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
BURIAL
In Loving & Joyful Remembrance
of FR. PAUL
of FR. PAUL
18 days before he died, on June 2, 2019, Fr Paul celebrated his 65th anniversary as a priest in his nursing home in Caldwell NJ. Below, listen to his homily on this occasion.
Watch Fr Paul as he preached his last homily on June 2, 2019, on the occasion of his 65th Ordination celebration.
"All of you here today share in some way in the priesthood of Jesus Christ. So we celebrate your priesthood, your mercy, your gift to the Father, along with Jesus Christ. .. So we gather here together today to thank the Lord, not only for the priesthood of the ordained minister but also for the priesthood that each one of you shares in in a very, very special way...."
Click below to watch:
"All of you here today share in some way in the priesthood of Jesus Christ. So we celebrate your priesthood, your mercy, your gift to the Father, along with Jesus Christ. .. So we gather here together today to thank the Lord, not only for the priesthood of the ordained minister but also for the priesthood that each one of you shares in in a very, very special way...."
Click below to watch:
Fr Paul's Legacy Message to St. Antoninus Church
Below, watch a brief video of Fr Paul as he shared his personal testimony on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, exhorting St Antoninus parish : "All of us need to to open to the great desire to know, love and participate more deeply into the life of God Himself."
This was filmed at the end of Mass in celebration of Fr Paul's 90th birthday, last year in June 2018 at St. Antoninus Church.
Below, watch a brief video of Fr Paul as he shared his personal testimony on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, exhorting St Antoninus parish : "All of us need to to open to the great desire to know, love and participate more deeply into the life of God Himself."
This was filmed at the end of Mass in celebration of Fr Paul's 90th birthday, last year in June 2018 at St. Antoninus Church.
Click below to listen:
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From BLD Newark, a covenanted community he served with passion and love:
A MEMORIAL TRIBUTE FOR FR. PAUL
A MEMORIAL TRIBUTE FOR FR. PAUL
If this does not open, click here
In loving remembrance:
Thank You, Lord God, for the beautiful gift that Fr Paul was to St Antoninus and to so many people.
He is yours, totally yours and we lovingly entrust him back to You!
